In this section, we build a mathematical model for a single pool with and without correlation among samples. We show that within-pool correlation in the classical two-stage Dorfman procedure [1]} results in higher test sensitivity and lower or comparable test consumption for identifying positives, which offers great value to epidemic mitigation given limited testing capacity in a global pandemic. In Section , we will discuss how this single-pool model is well-justified in the context of large-scale screening.
